Dos and Dont's while taking Sabarimala Vratham - Things to know during Ayyapa Puja

Certain things in life are inherited from the traditions followed since ages without even they being written anywhere but passed on from generations to generations by following and practicing what is deemed right and religious required. Kerala and its traditional temples were known for their orthodox and highly traditional and conservative existence known to mankind. The sanctity and purity of these rituals make this an endearing saga and gives an enriched way of life. We all cannot be saints all through our life, but these norms make us to be living a divine and meaningful times atleast during those days when we follow some religious path towards saturation. Lord Ayyapa is a symbol of beginning and end, being the son of Maha Vishnu and Lord Shiva….and also being a brahmacharya god is said to be following the most difficult of rituals in offering prayers to him. Every step of this prayer have a meaning and a scientific reason if you look deeper into it. Mostly this is in line with what Muslims follow during Ramzan fasting and Christians during Lent days….every religion has certain things that tie up to a one single path of realizing god in any form….a supreme, unseen and unheard form of existence.

 

41 days of diskha is like a tapas. The do’s and don’t’s are set to keep the focus on the God and his ultimate goals of cleansing the human mind, physical body and inner soul. This puja actually creates a vibrations for better living and character recheck of the people. Though most of the process may seem difficult, the path is rough , yet the happiness of doing this makes it easy and attainable. As an ardent child devotee who only remembers her dad in the Ayyapa dress all her life, I thought this season of Sabrimala, is a time to recap some do’s and don’t’s.

 

 

 

The list of things to know during Sabarimala Vratham

 

 

1. Wear black clothes only. You can wear dark blue or orange once you complete few years of diskha and travel to sabarimala. The reason being that Ayappa having offered that his devotees will pay due respects to him and as well as to Sani Bhagawan during the diksha so that he would not trouble them Wearing footwear is also avoided and washing feet before entering house or any place is required.

 

2. Start and end the day by taking bath twice with head shower with cold water. Initially this would be difficult but being clean is next to godliness. Using fragrances is avoided and using home made products is recommended.

 

3. Eating self cooked or clean cooked food in separate utensils have to be practiced. Ladies cooking the food have to be . Food have to be vegetarian and full meal only during lunch. Evening prasadam should be a light meal and fruits.

 

4. Sleeping on the floor is a must and you can use bedsheet or blankets as needed.

 

5. Who can take up this diksha? And Why?

 

• a. Men of all ages can take up this diksha
• b. Women who have not attain puberty and who are elderly and have had their menopause.
• c. This restriction is to follow the tradition that Ayyapa is a brahmacharya (bachelor god) and to maintain the focus and santity of the tradition followed in this temple.

 

6. Following bachelor or brahmacharya life through out this varatham. This would keep the devotees focused on the rituals and on god.

 

7. Tell saranugosha or Ayyapa saranam vili everyday morning and evening. People going together in the Sabarimala piligrimage keep telling this loudly during travel to make things easy, keep energy up and also to keep the fear of animals and darkness away. Saranam minchiya Saramu illiyeee (there is no big weapon than the saranu gosha)

 

8. No indulging in arguments, vulgar talks or watching movies. Keep practicing devotional songs and attend ayyapa bajans as much as possible keep the varatham in tact

 

9. Follow meditation to keep you calm and follow all the rituals with ease

 

10. Conduct Ayyapa puja at home atleast once and give annadhanam to poor during this pooja. Having a guruswamy do this at home is a blessing and making panchamrutham without even smelling the ingrediants before offering to god is important. Annadhanam is a important ritual and if not possible at home, you can distribute food to poor near the temples as well

 

11. Practice deeksha during the full mandalam of 41 days. Lot of people these days due to convenience do this for few days which is not right or maladaranam only during the pilgrimage. This will not give full benefits and it is important that giving time cleaning the mind and body during the puja days is very important.

 

12. First time travelers to sabarimala are called Kanniswamies and they follow that they are driving by the saranu gosha and not with the help of stick as they climb the forest hills to sabarimala. Stop at Erumely and play pettatuli (carnival dance) before proceeding to sabarimala. The first arrow from erumely to be placed in Saramkuthi alayam. There is a story that the year when there is no saramkuti from the first time traveler to sabarimala, that is when Lord Ayyapa will get married…..and the waiting continues but devotees don’t stop coming to Sabarimala

 

13. Do not indulge in any wrong doings, accepting bribes, indulging in violence or talking foul language. Do not drink or smoke.

 

14. Keeping modest way of life is the way to perform this puja. Don’t indulge in showing wealth during bhajans or puja at home. In the eyes of god, everyone is equal

 

15. Have all ingediants required for Irumudi and attend the irumudhi function with poise. As the family puts behind rice in your bag as you start to sabarimala, it means that you are actually leaving behind all your entanglements of life, including relationships and materialistic well being and surrending oneself to god.

 

16. Keeping away from attending death ceremonies, funerals and women during this time is required. In this vratham, one is far above all that is free from any kind of emotional entanglements and it is only to indicate that no one is above destiny and their own karma.

 

17. Visiting any local temple during the puja days once is recommended. In Chennai, every corner of the street have ganesha temples that can be visited.

 

18. Following all puja norms for mala removing after the pilgrimage is also recommended, It is not right to remove the mala once visit is completed before the 41 days is completed. And it has to be done with the help of guruswamy only or in the ayyapa temple when the vratham is completed.

 

 

 

My personal experience with the Lord is that whoever believes in him, he will take care of them….Who ever tries to test this whole thing and do it for name sake and try to not mind any of these is also not forgiven. The meaning is that don’t do something that you cant do with 100% dedication. Even if it means a prayer to god!

 

 

 

Let Lord Ayyapan bless you all for the healthy, wealthy and problem free life. Swamiye Saranam Ayyappa.